Okay, let’s admit it: movie theaters with freezing air conditioning and overpriced popcorn get a bit tiresome in the summer. What you really want is simpler: a blanket on the ground, a drink in hand, and a movie that starts just as the sky begins to darken.
Good news: Rome has a format made just for this—an open-air cinema that changes locations every week. It’sAperiCinema under the stars: a €15 ticket, a picnic basket with a drink included, and, depending on which evening you go, you might find yourself lying down with a view of the sea in Ostia, or comfortably seated at a table in the shade of the Baths of Caracalla.
Yes, that’s right.
How AperiCinema Under the Stars works: grab your basket, a blanket (or table), and let the movie begin
The formula is simple and never changes, because when something works, you don’t mess with it. You arrive around 8:00 p.m., settle in—on a blanket on the ground or at a table, depending on the location—open the picnic basket filled with appetizers and a great aperitif (included in your ticket!), and at 9:00 p. m., the movie starts.
Nothing more, nothing less: that’s all you need.
Tickets can be purchased online on Tickly, starting at €15, and here’s a tip from a friend: don’t wait until the last minute. The most popular evenings, especially on weekends, sell out quickly.
Five gardens, five atmospheres (for five different moods)
The beauty of this event is that it doesn’t have a fixed location: it rotates among some of Rome’s most beautiful spots, and the location you choose completely changes the kind of evening that awaits you.
There’s the Marabù Beach Club in Ostia, with the sea just a stone’s throw away and a real vacation vibe even if you haven’t left the city. There’s Parco Caracalla, where the movie literally plays in the shadow of the Baths, for those who want a touch of ancient Rome as a backdrop. There’s Luce Experience on Via Ardeatina, more intimate and green, perfect if you’re looking for a cozy atmosphere.
There’s the TH Roma — Carpegna Palace Hotel on Via Aurelia, with on-site parking—very convenient for those arriving by car.
And then there’s Il Giardino della Ninfa, which has frequently hosted screenings in recent weeks.
What’s playing these days
To get you excited right away, here’s what “AperiCinema under the stars” has planned for this week:
- Tuesday, July 8: *Interstellar* at the Marabù Beach Club in Ostia,
- Wednesday, July 9: *Pretty Woman* at Parco Caracalla,
- Sunday, July 12: The Lion King (the animated version, so it’s perfect even if you bring the whole family) at Luce Experience.
How to get there, location by location
Every venue has its own way of getting there, so here are a few helpful tips: for Parco Caracalla, just get off at the Circo Massimo stop on Metro Line B, then it’s about a ten-minute walk and you’re there. For the TH Roma — Carpegna Palace Hotel on Via Aurelia, there’s an on-site parking lot, which is convenient if you’re arriving by car. Luce Experience, on Via Ardeatina, is best reached by car or taxi. The Marabù Beach Club in Ostia can be reached by taking the Roma-Lido train (get off at Lido Centro) followed by a short walk to the waterfront.
